Subject of the expedition : microplastic pollution
The Sail & Explore Association is a Swiss marine protection organization that conducts scientific sailing expeditions with citizen scientists on the subject of microplastic pollution, among other things. The aim of the expeditions is to collect data to gain a better understanding of the type, quantity and composition of microplastics, as well as their influence on the animal world in our oceans. Plastic waste, especially microplastics, in the oceans is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time. Every year, more than 12 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans, with the Mediterranean being considered the world's most polluted sea by microplastics.
This year the Sail & Explore Association is conducting its long-term study in the Ligurian/Tyrrhenian Sea from June 4th to 11th (Olbia - Elba) and from June 18th to 25th (Elba - Genoa). This expedition is part of a 10-year monitoring project that started in 2018 with the aim of conducting the world's first long-term study to identify possible changes in the amount, spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics (> 300µm) found in the areas.
This expedition offers the unique opportunity as a citizen scientist to actively participate as a sailing crew of the Italian expedition ship Adriatica, to collect samples, carry out initial evaluations on the ship and meet local researchers and support them in their work. The results of our expedition are all published in scientific journals in order to achieve a clear impact.
Visit www.sailandexplore.com for more information.
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